“Not One of Us”
Mark 9:38-40 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.
DO YOU think John learns slowly, if at all? In a series of teachings, Jesus has told his disciples, “The last shall be first.” Then, “Let the little children come to me.” And Jesus has shown the power of faithful prayer to heal.
Then John and the others report how they have tried to stop a man who was driving out demons. “He’s not one of us, Jesus.” Let’s see, John, the man is faithfully healing in Jesus’ name. How can he not be “one of us”?
Jesus’ reply encourages his disciples to give the faithful healer leeway. Yes, they could have been concerned about his beliefs and why he was doing what he was doing. But Jesus points out that this man cannot oppose him as he heals in Jesus’ name. Jesus has been calling his disciples to the kind of faith the man has. He tells them to celebrate the man’s work because he is demonstrating Kingdom truth. As he does so, he is “one of us”.
Be cautious of criticizing other ministries. They may not look the same as the church you’re used to attending, but God empowers faithful people in many, many ways to do his will on earth. Look to other Christians as “one of us”. And rejoice in their work. God uses different ministries for different purposes. Celebrate how he uses you.
Pause and consider the power God’s people being united for him.
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